Congress Abstracts 2004

75

REACHING AND TEACHING TEENS CANCER AWARENESS AND PREVENTION OF BREAST CANCER. Linda Horn Thompson, RNC, BSN, and Donna Hebert, RN, BA, Woman’s Hospital, Baton Rouge, LA.

The National Cancer Institute reports that breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women in the United States. Louisiana statute RS 17:275 states, “All public junior and senior high schools shall provide instruction to all female students in the proper procedure for breast self-examination and the need for annual Pap tests for cervical cancer.” This report presents data on benefits of teaching 583 teenage girls in four Louisiana parishes about breast self-examination (BSE).

The purpose of this presentation is to make oncology nurses aware of a teaching model effective in reaching under-served populated areas and schools without school nurses. Knowledge of breast cancer and health issues may influence teenage girls’ attitudes and behavior, thereby influencing the mothers/guardians, grandmothers, and aunts.

Teenage girls were provided class sessions on awareness and early detection of breast cancer, theoretically promoting the sharing of knowledge with other females in the family on the subject of breast examination and mammography.

Data were collected to evaluate effectiveness of BSE lecture, video, and hands-on demonstrations with mannequins, based on students’ questionnaires. Collected data indicated that after the session, 99% of the teenage girls strongly agreed/agreed that they understood the risk factors associated with breast cancer; 91% strongly agreed/agreed they can perform breast self-exams; 78% strongly agreed/agreed, and 16% somewhat agree that they can discuss with mother or female relative after attending class.

Through effective teaching models, we support community outreach of nurses in underserved populated areas. By improving awareness and promoting early detection, we improve the quality of care in female patients. This model could be used by oncology nurses to provide education on breast cancer and early detection and prevention of other cancers.